Senators OK with martial law extension, but unconvinced on five-month period

Several senators remain unconvinced of the need to extend martial law in Mindanao until year end after almost five hours of briefing from security officials on the situation in strife-torn Marawi City.

The closed-door briefing from National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., along with martial law administrator and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, and martial law implementor and AFP chief General Eduardo Año, was held days before Congress tackles in joint session the request of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Senator JV Ejercito said he, along with the other senators who attended the briefing, are supportive of a martial law extension but are undecided on the five-month period requested by the President.

“Sa tingin ko, marami ang supportive kasi nga mukhang justified naman yung reasons. Sabi nga nila, the ISIS will not end with the Marawi situation. Magtu-tuloy-tuloy yun so we have to brace for that, and the Armed Forces has to be ready for that,” Ejercito said.

But Ejercito said maybe a “few more days, or 20 to 30 days” of an extension would already be enough.

In a letter sent to Congress leaders, Duterte asked that his martial law declaration be extended until December 31, 2017. His original 60-day proclamation will lapse on July 22.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said there must be a lengthy discussion on the period requested by Duterte.

“I am not yet convinced [on extension until December] but there is a need for extension. Yes, I am inclined to support that after the briefing but in so far as in the length of coverage, let’s debate on that,” Drilon said.

Ejercito and Drilon both noted how the first 57 days of martial law in Mindanao were implemented without significant violation of human rights in the region.

“We must commend our military and we will continue to support them,” Drilon said.

For his part, Senator Joel Villanueva said that based on the security briefing, a 20-day extension covering Marawi would suffice.

“But of course, mabigat yung problema eh. It’s not just what is happening right now but the [other] effects,” he added.

“Sabi ko nga, when it comes to extension, parang majority of us , the way I look at it, would support; but the number of days or months especially, medyo ano yung until December of this year, so pag-aralan nating mabuti,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva said that before he decides on the period of extension, he would first need to look at the potential impacts of a prolonged martial law on the tourism sector and the economy.

Senator Richard Gordon, meanwhile, would have preferred an extension of only 60 days.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, for her part, was unsure yet whether she will support the President’s request to extend martial law.

“Hindi ko pa masabi na sumusuporta ako ng extension whatever length...About the extension, marami pa akong itatanong sa joint session,” she said.

Senator Grace Poe said security officials would still need to justify the martial law extension during the special joint session.

“Gusto natin talagang malaman ano ba talagang pakay nila, anong layunin nila na nais nilang makamit pagtapos ng martial law. Ano ang pwede nilang gawin na hindi nila pwedeng gawin kung walang martial law?” Poe said. — RSJ, GMA News